Press Release: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, Brussels, 10 March 2014

Main results of the Council:

The Council adopted a recommendation on a quality framework for traineeships which addresses two shortcomings: insufficient learning content and inadequate working conditions. The recommendation provides guidelines and tools to member states, trainees, traineeship providers, and all other stakeholders in order to ensure that traineeships are a beneficial tool to help in transitions from training or inactivity to employment. The President of the Council, Ioannis VROUTSIS, minister for Employment, Social Protection and Welfare of Greece, noted that " the recommendation is an important tool for improving the conditions of transition from school or unemployment and inactivity into working life. This recommendation, together with other initiatives - such as the youth employment initiative and the youth guarantee - will contribute to wider efforts for the social and professional integration of young people."

It held a policy debate on the employment and social policy aspects of the 2014 European Semester exercise, with a view to contributing to the broader discussions that the European Council will have at its meeting on 20 and 21 March.

The Council had a first exchange of views on the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy after the Commission's presentation of its communication on "taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth".

The Council agreed in principle on a decision on the tripartite social summit for growth and employment.

The Council also took note of the information provided by the Presidency on current legislative work, especially the provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on the posting of workers directive.

The Council adopted without discussion :
– the Fund for European aid to the most deprived (FEAD). With financial resources of almost EUR 3.5 billion for seven years (2014-2020), its aim is to provide food distribution, basic material assistance and aid social inclusion measures for the most deprived citizens of the European Union in all member states; and

– a regulation defining the terms and conditions for car manufacturers for reaching the 2020 target for CO2 emissions (95g CO2/km) from new passenger cars".

ESO: Background information: Fund for European aid to the most deprived (FEAD) http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-fund-for-european-aid-to-the-most-deprived-fead-2/

ESO: Background information: Council adopts biocides regulation http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-adopts-biocides-regulation/

ESO: Background information: Council adopts regulation on the 2020 reduction of CO2 emissions from new passenger cars http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-adopts-regulation-on-the-2020-reduction-of-co2-emissions-from-new-passenger-cars/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the 2014 Annual Growth Survey and Joint Employment Report: political guidance on employment and social policies http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-2014-annual-growth-survey-and-joint-employment-report-political-guidance-on-employment-and-social-policies/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the social situation in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-social-situation-in-the-eu/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/165: Council of Employment, Social Policy and Health Ministers, 10 March 2014, Brussels http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-165_en.pdf

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